David Beckham's return to LA Galaxy delayed as contract talks continue

Posted Thursday, January 12, 2012 by theguardian.com

• Negotiations over new deal with MLS club ongoing
• No chance of a short-term return to Manchester United

David Beckham, pictured watching the FA Cup match between Arsenal and Leeds with two of his sons, is still in talks with LA Galaxy

David Beckham's return to LA Galaxy has been delayed as the two sides continue to negotiate his contract, but the former England captain's representatives remain confident that he will sign.

Beckham, who joined Galaxy in 2007, had been expected to complete the deal over the past two days, replacing the contract that expired on 31 December. Instead, he has been in England, attending the FA Cup third-round tie between Manchester United and Manchester City on Sunday and Arsenal's tie with Leeds United the following day.

Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, said that Beckham would be welcome to train with the club as he did last year when nearly joining on loan. "Yes of course if he wants to come in, no problem," he said. "I have not spoken to him, but if he wants to, we would love him back here. To have him around the place last year was brilliant."

But it is understood that Beckham currently has no plans to train with any club and there is no chance of the 36-year-old following Paul Scholes in returning to action with his former club Manchester United on a short-term deal.

Redknapp said Spurs were unlikely to try to sign him. "It's a difficult one. I would not know the financial side. The chairman deals with that."